How to use referrals to get 30 new clients this month

How to use referrals to get 30 new clients this month

Understanding the GAINS Exchange to make the most out of your network.

BNI founder Dr. Ivan Misner has developed the GAINS Exchange to make the most out of your current network. The GAINS Exchange is information your network should know about you and you about them. GAINS is an acronym and means:

Goals- These are the financial and personal objectives. Problems or decisions that you make to achieve something. You can help others achieve their goals and they can do the same thing for you, but neither of you can help each other reach goals you don't know about.  

Accomplishments–  Goals and projects completed. Accomplishments tell more about any intentions one may communicate.  People like to talk about what their proud of. Sharing what your proud of may lead to connections with others in the group.

Interest– Are simply things you like doing. People are willing to spend time with people they share interest, golfers hangout with golfers not bowlers right? Of your interest your passion is your most important interest. Something you could do without being motivated to do.

Networks- Any group, company or organization we may be affiliated with. Sometimes we take these groups for granted.  Dr. Misner say's "It’s how well you know them, not what you or who you know." Cultivate each contact and make as deep a connection as possible.

Skills- The more you know about your network the better you can find qualified people for referrals and for you. This well help with people connect you with people you can help most and the same for them.

Practice the GAINS Exchange to help you develop your network.

***Looking for a place to practice GAINS or meet people? Nmsmallbiz has a community calendar with free networking events please visit my page and "like." Facebook.com/nmsmallbiz***

What are you waiting for?

Really. What are you waiting for? Let me say this, we all have a limited supply of time to make things happen. Time is the only thing that we can never get back and sometimes we don’t fight to live every moment for it.

What is it that is keeping you from working toward that goal, purpose and ultimately happiness? Do you wake up everyday ready to tackle the day? Even if it’s…Monday?

Don’t let anything hold you back from starting today. Don’t wait, get up and work toward your calling now! Write down that goal. Make that call. Make that leap. Do something, anything.

If we want to be happy and living with purpose and satisfaction we need to make the small things build us for the HUGE things. If we wait until we get that degree, job or situation it may never come. Fail forward and learn from mistakes. We never know when a new desire will enter our heart and we can use all that we have learned to be hugely successful.

Friends I encourage you to hit the ground running now…don’t put it off!

***Inspired by the new series title Get A Life. http://sagebrush.cc/currentseries***

Bob Burgs’ 10 questions every marketer should know.

Thinking about going to a networking event? Having problems opening up a conversation? 
Bob Burg author of "Endless Referrals" has 10 questions that every networker should know; in fact every person in business should know them! Please find them list below:


1.  How did you get started in the (______) business?

2.  What do you enjoy most about your profession?

3.  What separates you and your company from the competition?

4.  What advice would you give someone just starting out in the (______) business?

5.  What one thing would you do with your business if you knew you could not fail?

6.  What significant changes have you seen take place in your profession through the years?

7.  What do you see as the coming trends in the (______) business?

8.  Describe the strangest or funniest incident you’ve experienced in your business?

9.  What ways have you found to be the most effective for promoting your business?

10.  What one sentence would you like people to use in describing the way you do business?




Hope to see some of you at the NMSMALLBIZ hosted Breakfast with Fran!

Why do I keep doing this tedious task?

Why is it important to have goals? Seems like a silly question. To me, the real reason we have goals is it keeps us focused and helps make the little things count.

I’ll do what others won’t to have what others don’t.

How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

“like wanting to be a championship boxer without taking a punch.” Brian Tracey

What do all these quotes have in common? They are referring to meeting goals and requiring effort. Everyday you get up and go to work, make calls, file papers or do whatever it is you are reluctant to do. Why? To get closer to your goals. If your goal is worth it, you’ll keep moving towards it.

You see we need goals to motivate us daily. In sales we can make a call today and not close the deal for a week, month or even a year! In school you develop strong writing skills and wonder why am I writing this essay? Later in school you realize the benefit all those essays had.

Hold this true, without goals we have no reason to push ourselves. The daily routine becomes too much for us to bear. Instead of approaching the task with a burning desire, we approach asking why? Which do you think helps you achieve a better result? Burning desire baby! Make the small things count.

Take some time today setting your huge goal. Than write down what needs to be done to achieve the goal. Next time you ask, why? Look at your goal sheet and remember it’s helping you reach that HUGE goal!

BNI Founder Dr. Ivan Misner 10 commandments of networking a mixer

Do you wonder how to make more out of networking mixers? Don't we all. NMSMALLBIZ will soon be hosting a monthly networking event and thought this may help us or anyone attending

BNI is the most widely known networking group. I decided to break down the founder of the organizations 10 commandments for networking at a mixer:

1. Have networking tools with you at all times: cards, name badge, promotional items and other cards from your referral network.

2. Set a goal of number of people your going to meet. Often we only look at time. Focus on meeting 8 new possible referral partners, this is a better goal than focusing on a staying for only one hour.

3. Act like a host, not a guest. Guests sit back and relax. A host will introduce people who may benefit from knowing each other. This is pretty easy, introduce a realtor to mortgage broker. 

4. Listen and ask questions. Be an interviewer. If you're already thinking of what your going to say next maybe you're not listening.  For some a great conversation starters try Bob Burg's "Endless Referrals." He has great questions and tips to keep the conversation going.

5. Don’t try and close a deal. It’s about relationships. Nobody goes to a networking event to buy. They go looking for other referral partners and solutions to their current problems. Be a problem solver or a partner.

6. Give referrals whenever possible. Think of your current networkers problems and look for people to help. Or meet someone and discover their needs and keep them in mind as you meet new people.

7. Exchange business cards. This is a given. Try this, ask for two. One to keep and one for possible referral opportunities. 

8. Manage your time efficiently. Don't spend your time with people you know or are comfortable with. Make the most of this time by making new contacts.

9. Write notes on backs of cards recording anything useful. This is an old trick and goes back to commandment number 4, write what you learn.

10. Follow-up. This is obvious but few do it. There is no reason to meet people if you are not going to follow-up. Meet them for coffee or call them and say hello.

I hope this helps with networking at your events. Please repost if you found this helpful.


***More info on networking events under the "Events" tab***

Ready Set Jump!!!

I thought today I would start with a story I heard at church this past Sunday.

There was a blind eight year old girl trapped on the tenth floor of a burning building. The fire department didn't have a ladder tall enough to reach her. They did have a net. The little girl was scared to jump and as the flames grew closer she still refused to jump. Suddenly the little girl hears her father’s voice saying "Jump! I promise I'll catch you!" The little girl jumped to safety as soon as she heard this.

When I heard this I knew I would be writing about it this week. Don't we all feel like this sometimes? Trapped up high with the fire to our backs? Trying everyday to move closer to our goal but not taking much risk? So fearful we might rather get burned than take a leap of faith?

Who's voice is calling you? Or rather what is calling you?

This is obviously a rather extreme example. But the point I'm hoping to drive is that sometimes we know what we must do. We don't because we can't see the future and don't know how things may work out. So we stay doing the same thing fearful and end up getting burned. If you have a change that needs to be made to be successful, make that jump. We are half-way through the week and only have less than 60 days left in the year. But there is always time to make an impact. With one of the years most stressful times approaching why not jump? What do you have to lose? If you are truly passionate like that little girl was with her dad, you will jump and be successful.



***Took this story from Sagebrush Community Church. Catch the podcast at http://sagebrush.cc/currentseries week 5***

How should I set up my business Facebook page?

Facebook can prove to be valuable marketing tool for your business. You have different choices when setting up your Facebook page, you can choose to set it up like a business page or a personal account. The easiest way to know how someone is set up? Well do you "like" the business or are you there "friend?" If your there friend there business profile has been set up like a personal account and a "like" is for a business page. So what is the difference?

First  Facebook specifically states personal profiles should not represent a business and they can shut down your page down if you do so. So you should not sell or promote your company from a personal page. Having said that, I know many profiles set up this way, let’s talk about the other differences.

With a business page people can't add app's like, “please vote” or send you “hugs.” This keeps the page more professional. A personal page is open to any application just like your personal profile.

You can assign admins to a Facebook business page and have multiple admins make edits and create posts. With a personal page it's one username and password. I have heard of three specific incidents where a employee was managing the page, leaves the company along with the password. Good luck getting in to that page again.

A business page allows you to post a description about your company with hours and location information. A personal page lets you add employer information.

A business page will not notify if you if people respond to post, imagine 25 comment alerts? A personal page will.

You can't promote your personal page with a Facebook ad to grow the page influence.

Unlimited "likes" opposed to only 5,000 friends.

You can build custom landing pages promoting your companies current focus.

Lastly you can have multiple pages with one Facebook log in.

I have seen many personal accounts set up to promote a business and it does sometimes work. You can grow you personal page by simply sending friend request. I'm thinking of one restaurant who uses his Facebook personal page very successfully. I believe that when done correctly, the business page route is the way to go. The pros definitely out weigh cons and allow you to promote in a positive professional manner.

***NMSMALLBIZ is currently offering a free 15 min phone consultation. For more info see the contact us tab. ***

Mid-Week Motivation "Get out of the safe zone and get in the faith zone-" Joel Osteen

As we look at the final 60 days of the year we need to ask ourselves, Where are you living today? Every New Year we all set resolutions and goals for the year. It’s time to revisit those goals one more time.

If you are on track to meet your goals congratulations!!!! You are on your way towards achievement and a successful year. Not to say the rest of are not, because there is still time.

All things are possible when we challenge ourselves and work towards our capability, not just enough to get by. I posted this quote from Joel Osteen because this is often why we stay stuck in the same situation. Fear holds us hostage and causes us to remain complacent. How can we leverage this quote to overcome fear?

The answer is find something you believe in. If you want a degree because you believe it will make you more money, go for it. Want to start a business to have more control, do it. Or simply do more of something to produce a result, for example a sales rep might make 20 more contacts a day. The point is when we allow our belief system to occupy our mind we began to have faith. Faith causes us to overcome huge obstacles and remain optimistic. Faith is what religion is based on and it has the ability to change lives.  

So lets take a page from our spiritual lives and have faith so we can finish this year as close to our goals as possible…what you believe, you can achieve!

3 Reasons your small business should be on Facebook

Social media is huge and only getting bigger. Facebook itself grows by 300,000 everyday. That number is 2.1 million in a week! Amazing. I have began working with small business to enhance their online presence. Here is few reason you should consider using Facebook as well.

Your customers are on Facebook. And if they aren't part of the 500 million active users they soon will be. Facebook is largest and fast growing of the social media sites. If you want to keep it simple, it makes sense to use the most popular and largest site, right? I say focus on Facebook and grow form there if you choose.

Facebook allows you communicate with your customers. You can ask questions, create discussions and polls or simply keep your customers updated on your business. Well you should never just promote your Facebook page with your products and services, you certainly can let them know about special offers or a sale.


Facebook is free. Let me say that again, Facebook is free. When was the last time you ran an ad that updated your clients with a promotion and it didn't cost you anything? You setup your Facebook, develop your relationships with customers, create buzz with promotions sent to people who are interested in your business and meet new contacts EVERYDAY for FREE! If your not on Facebook yet please began working on your page today...if you want to grow your business that is.


***Questions regarding setting up your profile? Free 15 min Phone consultation being offered to small business owners. Simply contact me via email or vlopezev@gmail.com or the office 505.750.4033 and of course by Facebook, simply click on the badge to the right.***

Victors Problem Thought Process

Victors Problem Thought Process

This is a personal post today. Well not usually what I write about, I felt the need today.

I am one of the most positive people I know. When a problem arises I quickly think how can I solve this? Help with this? What can I do?

Over the years me and my wife have shared our ups and downs, we still continue through them today. Have you ever woke up without a job? Lost a relationship close to you? Or just made a really bad decision? I have experienced them all myself. And it has been a positive attitude that’s keeps me coming back for more.

I have a thought process I run through my mind everytime. I mediate and deliberate.

First I define the problem. Here is a great example, is the problem the sticker shock from the electric company or the fact I left lights 24/7? Or is it that I need to make more money now because costs are creeping up? The goal here is to define the problem not the emotions at that moment.

Second I allow myself time to be upset. I usually allow about 15 minutes. Really Victor? Only that much time? Yes. If you need more time take it, just try to stay away from the one hour mark.

Third I look for a solution to focus on. Is the solution that you need to make more money or that you need a certain amount of money? Is the answer that you need to spend more time with a certain someone? How much? What kind of time? The point is this, I look for my way out. I set the goal and I work towards it. I have many goals I am working towards now. But removing my thoughts  from the problem and focusing my energy on the solution has at so many times, kept me from falling apart.

Fourth I refuse to let the past define me. A mistake is the past and there is nothing you can do to change it. You can learn and grow from it, but you can’t change it. Here is the biggest key of all: I work towards the goals not to avoid the mistake of the past, but to position myself for the future. Don’t ever live your life afraid of making a mistake.

So there you have it. I hope this helps someone over come some problem.  On a side note. I have begun to use the wisdom of the bible to make my choices now and things seem to be working better, I’m just saying.

If you know someone who has a mountain to climb, please share this with them.

Customer Service is not just a cost.

This statement "Customer Service is not just a cost," seems ridiculous but how do you serve your customers??? I have heard many people talk about the cost of customer service, it's a cost of time, time away from looking for new money to bring in. Time is so precious, but let's look at this from a different perspective.

Your next sale is more likely to come from your current customer. This is a popular saying in sales, if it is so popular, why don't more people live by it? I'm so tired of hearing of companies forgetting this. It is so upsetting to see companies do all they can to reduce cost of their servicing budget instead of embracing it or managing it better.

So how can we use this cost of customer service to better serve the company? I'm glad you asked! You develop websites, you receive a call from the business about some issue that seems almost to easy to answer. It is clear from this conversation the owner is confused and could use some help; Do you answer the question and move on to your days next item? Do you answer the question and refer them to the manual you supplied? Or do you set an appointment up to go visit him and show how to get the most out of our services?

The sad truth is most will the first and less will do the second. Those who do the third are what I call the network builders. These people will set the appointment for an hour. Go to their place and show them how to use their services. They ask them questions and provide information only an expert would have. All along learning about the business's needs and company. They leave with a happy customer. 

But these people do more...they upsell, cross-sell and move in to warm market through referrals. People will be willing to give you time to hear how your other services or products  may help since they now know you care about them. Or they will be willing to open up their address book when you say, "Who are some you favorite business partners, suppliers, customers who may benefit from the same service you have?"

You go for one hour and lose that hour looking for new business, but you leave with a new possible sale and 5 referrals...wow and that only COST you one hour?

Mid-Week Motivation “Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle...” Napoleon Hill

Sometimes the world is falling it seems there is no way to stop it. We wake up thinking about the problem, we go to bed thinking about the problem. The problem begans to consume us.

It amazes me at the power we hold to control situations. I used to often think my problems we’re too big or simply meant to be; but I have found this not to be true. In the quote, “Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle...” Napolean Hill brings it more in to perspective. Nothing great can be achieved without solving problem. And always the bigger problem the bigger the reward.

Now how does this help? Well it means this, Mr. Hill uses the word continuous . So we all know the solution right? Sure you do you just might not like it. I know I don’t a lot of the time. But if we keep fighting for every inch and knowing that our effort will be too much for this problem, we will win.

You go to school and can’t make ends meet, soon if you finish you will have a degree and be presented with more opportunities. You feel empty inside? Search your soul for whats missing, side note a great place to start is the book The Purpose Driven Life. Your a single parent and need help? I salute you. Set a goal that helps your family achieve the result you want, for example, find a position that makes a ton of money and dosen’t require much time. Don’t think they exist? I know at least a dozen people who could tell you different. Again we just have to work towards it. Email me for ideas.

The point is this: You will overcome anything with continuous effort and struggle and here is the bonus…You will grow from it. People will ask you how you overcame? Where did you find your strength? And you will say to them, find your solution, no matter how ambitious it sounds, and keep working towards it. Nothing beats persistence…NOTHING!
 

How to get customers in your business today using CRM.

We have began to look at how your small business can use CRM. As you may recall the CRM is a great way to manage existing contacts. I gave a few items on how to use CRM to grow your business. Now we grow on one specific item. We start with this example:

You have an auto shop that does auto repair. You place a sticker on the windshield as reminder for your customer to come back when it's time for an oil change about every three months. Works great, your customer see's it every day.

Now you have that sticker serving as a retention piece and promoter; but how do you get them back sooner? What other needs do they have that you could serve that the customer might not realize? Enter our wonderful CRM.

Instead of paying money to send reminders via mail of promotions we take full advantage of our CRM software. While the customer is serviced at your store you collect thier information for your database...with integrity and protect it with all you got.  

Now you send emails maybe weekly or monthly. You still run the proven promotions like, "Free tire rotation and Inspection" or  "Get your vehicle ready for winter." But now your sending the promotion in real time and you add a call to action. "For your appointment and no waiting call 505..." You can also send promotions about new services you offer or different services.

 And how much does it cost to send email? How quick does an email arrive instead of snail mail? Win and win...baby thats a win!!!

CRM in all it's glory just got business in your door, reminded your clients your in business and costed nothing for printing and mailing!

Please contact me if you have any other ideas about how you can use CRM and share if you found helpful.

Mid-Week Motivation-“What would you do if you knew you could not fail?” -Robert H Schuller

What popped in to your head as you read that headline? We all have our excuses from time to time. Maybe we use excuses to not admit the real reason we don't move on our goals.

Fear is often the reason we can't move forward. Could it be that you can achieve everything you ever wanted if you went off a leap of faith? What if you started to believe and know you were actually capable of meeting that HUGE goal?

The point of this quote is this, you can achieve anything you ever wanted to...you just have to have faith. Why not go into business for yourself, your a scared you won't make any money? Why not go for that promotion, your afraid you don't have the right piece of paper telling you your qualified?

Lets go one step deeper. What would your life look like if you went out and went for that goal 110% without the fear of failure? Now what would it look like if you didn't? I hope these question get you thinking on what the cost of meeting your goals really is. It seems that when we approach any endeavour with the proper mindset the fear becomes a detail. One more bump in the road to overcome, but not nearly big enough to stop you.

Today take that small step towards you goal by writing down what really prevents you from hitting that goal. Than list all the ways to overcome and approach with "No Fail" mindset! Seeing the path of victory and not the obstacle can surely get you started!!!

Please share on facebook or retweet if you found helpful.

How You can Use Customer Relationship Manager

Customer Relationship Manager maybe one of the sharpest tools you have in the shed. CRM is database software that helps manage client's information. It has many useful purposes in today’s technology driven market.

CRM can be used in your business in many different areas. The first one that most people use it for is contacts. Contact management is huge. Most people spend a career shaking hands and making partners. They lose their phone and have no back up done. Cell phones have cause us all not to commit numbers to memory.

Many sales professionals use some sort of CRM to help them grow their customer base, so should the small business owner. As we meet possible clients we need to know where we are with them in the sales process. CRM allows you to enter the contact, track all your meetings with them, and set follow thorough’s, don’t believe in the term follow-up. On top of that you can set important dates like a birthday or anniversary to help develop that relationship.

You can also use CRM to help run special promotions. You have an existing database of contacts and ready to run. You simply create your document, select your mailing list you created in the software and send.

Next we will began looking at how you can use CRM to market your business.

Mid-Week Motivation. The Power of Doing.

Midweek Motivation!!!!

The power of doing. Recently I have been talking with many successful individuals.  In my conversation I’m looking for what makes them successful.

Last week we found that true confidence in “knowing” lies great power. Today I wanted to discuss the “doing.”

How do things get accomplished? You go out and do it! But what do I mean?  Well when a successful outside sales rep started calling on business’s they circle the block a few times. Because of the fear. When the rep started walking in to business’s she realized, “What was I scared of?” She soon learned that the more she did the work, the easier it got and more her commission grew.

The way we get over fear and achieve any goal is doing. Drafting a plan and actually working it. I have learned that the doing is important to overcoming, otherwise we stay stuck. Sounds simple, but how many times have we not hit a goal simply because we didn’t “DO” it. You need to ensure everyday your actually doing those activities that produce the goal!

If you have a goal, no matter how large, start today! Even it it’s small, do something. The small things lead to big things. Began doing and you’ll be on your way to achieving.

Are you placing too much focus on your NEXT customer?

Any small business needs new customers to keep growing. The problem is most small business's put so much money in getting new customer's they forget about their existing clients. So here are some good ways to keep a small business growing using your existing customer base and minimize the cost.

First thing is to gather a database. Collect your clients info in a responsible, safe and non-violating manner. Always keep the security of this info on high alert!

Now try a customer loyalty club. This club will receive updates via email with any specials you may be running for existing customers. For example an automotive shop might announce a free inspection and tire rotation to existing customers. Or give the customer an small discount when it's time to get the oil change. I'll be writing more on this idea in the coming weeks. 

Another major way to grow sales through your existing client base is...referrals. This is certainly no new concept.  Here is one easy and simple way to start today. Go to an existing customer and help them. I mean show them how to take full advantage of your services. Find an existing customer with a need for better or more efficient use of your services. You probably have more than enough. After you have showed them the value you provide simply say, "Can I have the names of your favorite suppliers so I may help them like I have helped you?" It seems to work every time, but remember we are looking to help before  we recieve no matter the outcome.*

And lastly a monthly enewsletter. Your up to date on your industry, right? So draw up a monthly newsletter explaining any changes in your field of business. At the bottom include promotional items and coupons. This reminds customers your in business and you send out via email so that means no postage.

We will began looking at a tool we use to help us manage these three activities called CRM...

*More on Referrals try Bob Burg's Endless Referrals or his Go-Giver's. 

Mid-Week Motivation. Is it all in knowing?

We all know that successful person who has all the confidence, charisma and smarts. They seem to have a response to everything and we often seek their thoughts or approval. What makes them so sure?

Lately I have been thinking about this much. I have read many books, see my reading list on linkedin.com/in/nmsmallbiz, and done much soul searching. I KNOW I have part of the answer.

The answer is simply this: Confident and Successful people know they're Confident and Successful!!! I know your asking, thats it? The answer you came up with was this? This helps me not one bit.

Give me a chance. I have found on mornings when I say out loud what I WILL, not TRY, to accomplish today I get done. The other day I said I was going to make a certain dollar amount. By the end of the day...I had it. I said I hope the next day...and I still don't have it. 

Point is this; Know your confident, Control your thoughts, change your end result! So let's set ourselves up for success by first knowing...than doing. I KNOW soon you'll be the person you thought when you read my first line. 

I dare you try this!

Fran Tarkenton's Quick 3 keys to success

This past week I got to share a confrence call with business partner and NFL Hall of Fame Quaterback Fran Tarkenton. When we asked the small business expert what are some keys to success in business? He responded with three quick bullet points:

-You have to have a great product. If your product isn't something people want or need you can't sustain growth or even maintain your current base.

-Customer experience is key. You have to treat your customer so good and create enough value that your customer want's to continue to buy from you or send you business.

-And finally you have to like to work. Fran mentioned the following names: Sam Walton, Harland Stonecipher, Bill Russell, Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods. While mentioning these names he said they all have one thing in common...they liked to work. And they work hard simply because they enjoyed and believed what they we're doing.

Great and simple advice.  If you have a goal, you might as well be running!

Next Step in Building A Website

It's time to look at what you need to set-up the actual website. After we have build our Site Map now it's time to start researching what we are going to need to get on the Internet. We will be looking at Domain Names, Hosting Services and Development Software.

Your Domain name is quite possibly the most important part of your website. It's your place on the Internet and needs to be easy enough for clients to remember...and carry your marketing plan online. Godaddy.com  is a popular site used to get a domain names. When we register clients we usually find a .com as opposed to a .net, .org or any other extension. Simply go to godaddy.com search your domain name find one you like and purchase. The purchase is for the registration of the domain name.

Now you will need to find hosting services. Hosting services basically make having a website for the small business owner affordable. The hosting company provides uses of their sever for data or information transfer, Internet connectivity and data or information storage. This service is what actually puts your site online. Simply put, this services places your website on the Internet for an affordable process. 

Finally you'll need some Development Software. This software is what is used to designed the site. You'll need your site layout to help you with this. This software will be used to put in the pictures, text and SEO phrases you want on your site. Many hosting companies have some sort of development software or you can use separate software if you choose. Our program has both the hosting services and the software development and I say it is much easier to just deal with one program. 

Remember this is designed for the small business owner. It's true their are different routes to take to build the site, but I found this is the easiest and most effective process. I be happy to show you some websites we have built, just ask!

What Do I Need To Get Started Building a Website? The Planning Process.

Building a website can be a daunting task if you have limited Internet experience. It can be daunting even if you are a experienced user. What do I need to get started? What should I include? The following is written to at least give you a starting point.

First you should have a Internet marketing plan. The plan should set an outline for what you want to accomplish with the web site. You need to think about the image you currently portray now and how you can carry over online. Use your current marketing materials and signage to guide you. Think about things like:

-Who is my ideal prospect/customer?
-What makes me better than the competition?
-What product or brand name shall I promote?

Next decide how many pages you will require. All websites should at a very minimum have the following pages, Home or About Us, Product/Service (maybe more than 1), Contact Us and finally a Location page if you have a storefront or office. Most companies will have at least four pages to their site.

Finally create a Site Layout. Take a piece of paper and draw as many boxes as your web pages will have. So staying with four, we would draw four boxes. Label each box for the page, ex. Box 1 Home/About Us, do this for all the pages and you now have a site map. Now do the same with four blank sheets of paper, ex. Page 1 Home/About Us. Below your title write a brief description. Next put down any ideas, images or thoughts you have about what this page should say.

This is the process we follow when helping a new client grow their business. I would be happy to share an example if you like.

3 Simple Way's To Make Your Website Search Engine Optimized

If I'm a small business owner why do I care about Search Engine Optimization? And what is Search Engine Optimization? All small business's should have a website not because your neighbor does, but to help market your business. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is simply the process of making your website more visible to search engines like Google and Yahoo...did I mention it's free?

Each website has HTML tag lines used to build the site. Most people don't realize these can help a search engine find you. So when building a title try something like this "Garcia Tinting Best Tinting in Albuquerque" instead of "Garcia Tinting." This can help by the way people normally search the Internet for a local service. I would never search "tire repair," but I would search "tire repair in Albuquerque." 

With the second title in on your website do the same thing on a little more broad basis. Ignore the norm like the "Welcome to such site" or  "About Our Company" and use "Best Handy Man Service in NM." Now we opened your site to a larger customer base. Put the other stuff somewhere else.

Drop flash. I mean it and I did say it. If your website has a flash presentation where the first two HTML tags go I say good luck driving traffic to your site. Search engines can't read your fancy video and graphic. As nice as it looks if you plan on using your site as an extension of your marketing plan to drive traffic your way, you can't do it.

Now any small business can use these simple tips to help market their business more effectively online. If you don't have a website let me know and I would love to share my thoughts.